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Topic: Sad News (Read 39012 times)

Wow, this is shocking and sad, and has really caught most of us off guard I am sure.

I knew Jim for close to a decade and on a personal level I am just stunned by this news. Like many of us who followed his health struggles in recent years you always thought, "its ok its Jim, he will pull through again"...

What stands out the most for me was his wonderful blind enthusiasm he had for life! If Jim loved something...that was it he was all in. Anyone who talked or corresponded with Jim for any length of time could feel how much he loved his wife, his family (especially his grandchildren), ambient music, this community and all of the friends he made here.

He was a warm thoughtful fellow and he was an open book, he would eagerly talk about his life, his struggles, his convictions, his recovery, his health, his Faith and his triumphs.

In our community, well he simply loved this music unconditionally, he enjoyed and encouraged the naive newcomer and championed them right alongside his favorite old masters with an almost evangelical zeal to anyone who would listen. As musicians, we were all his favorites, he was just that accepting.

Today we lost one of our genre's biggest cheerleaders and enthusiasts and I am deeply saddened. Our world just got a little darker, and heaven a little brighter.

Be at peace Brother!

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"I liken good ambient to good poetry ... enjoyable, often powerful, and usually unpopular" APK

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm sitting here with our Dad, reading your tributes; we knew Jim was part of the community, but we had no idea how deeply he was ingrained. We are deeply moved.

Tomorrow, before we leave for the viewing, I am going to print out this topic and share it with Jim's family and friends. It is important to know how much he meant to his friends.

------------This is Jim's father. I didn't know him the same way you did. When we were younger, I managed him on the baseball teams. I taught him to drive. We went on vacations. I made him cut the grass. I was at both his weddings. He was my son. I will miss him.

My sincere condolences to the family. Jim's positive spirit will be truly missed.

Like many others...Jim gave me some kind words of encouragement when I was getting started...which really meant a lot to me. People like Jim are what make this ambient movement and he will always be remembered as one of the finest proponents for the power of ambient music.

I've been posting here regularly since about 2001 when I was "Orion32". It will be sad and strange without Jim Brenholts on the Forum. What amazed me most about Jim was his razor sharp wit, honesty, and positive support of this music and the musicians who make it. He was always positive, I don't remember reading anything but positive words from him here, and that says a lot about someone's character. My deepest sympathy goes out to Jim's family and friends.

Just found out the sad news about Jim's passing. I truly believe that Jim was one of the die-hards who kept on fighting for an ambient/electronic music community without boundaries. His enthusiasm in his correspondence, writing reviews (he wrote plenty on my music) and his perseverance in sharing everything so passionate about our little subculture made him stand out.He leaves us unexpected but we'll remember him forever...

Though it doesn't include anything much that hasn't been covered here already, other than one photograph, I thought I'd mention that the Hypnos News page does include a mention of Jim's passing, under the posting date of 10-19-2009. Here's the link:

Here's the photo for those who already have read this topic and wonder what Jim looked like in 2000 (edit: actually 2002) after the Jeff Pearce and M. Griffin and D. Fulton concert in Philadelphia. Here from left to right:

It was a shock to read in the Groove E-news of the end of a star.Rigel Orionis, a brilliant supergiant in the ambient-music skies,illuminated our musical cosmos with his diverse knowledge from acrossthe universe.

Sadly he will no longer be in our firmament, but his legacy remains,not least his passionate and humorous contributions to this forum.I will miss those.

Is there any chance of a dedication compilation album by artistswhom Jim helped?

Is there any chance of a dedication compilation album by artistswhom Jim helped?

That would probably be hundreds! I was listening to some of "Tracks Across The Universe"today while doing some paperwork and there's dozens of artists on there alone.That said - dreamSTATE would be honoured to contribute to such a tribute to Jim.

Haven't been around here in ages, but re-signed on to say that I was deeply saddened to hear of Jim's passing.Part of the shock is that it just seemed like he would always be around. I only recently bumped into him again on facebookand was really glad to see him around again.

Tom, I am so sorry for your loss... you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.Rest In Peace, Jim.